2007 FLORIDA TOUR

DAY FIVE Sunday 18^th Feb

Once again , my final breakfast at the Hampton Inn, Altamonte was a busy affair, with most of the guests being race fans and wanting an early start. I was out of there soon after 8-00am and on I-4 heading for the Daytona Speedway. I'd hoped to get a parking spot closer to the track, but already the area was getting gridlocked with early arrivals, so settled for the same place, I used for the Gatorade race, which meant another long walk.

The “500” wasn't scheduled to start until mid afternoon, so like many other race fans, I kept warm ( yes it was a bit chilly) in the large shopping mall opposite the track. I had an early lunch of a steak sub and fries from one of the Deli's in the food court then wandered back to the track. My seat was in the high rising grandstand on the back stretch so I used the courtesy shuttle bus to get there. I wasn't in a bad position but I would of preferred to be where I was before ( on the Thursday ) It was still pretty chilly and I never dreamed I'd be sitting at Daytona wearing my ice racing touque and mits !

After all the pomp and ceremony the race got under way with not much happening during the first hour. When the caution flags came out , I decided a trip to the washroom (toilet) was needed and made off in the appropriate direction. To my shock, there was a line up (queue) of about 100yds, and being the kind of place it was, there were no trees handy to hide behind ! I'm glad I wasn't desperate, as I must have missed about 20 laps , waiting to take a leak ! I can see why race fans knock the organizers, the Daytona 500 is known as “Americas Race” and after paying high prices to get in, I found not only insufficient parking but toilet facilities too. The seats ( not the toilet seats! ) were uncomfortable, forcing me to buy a souvenir cushion ! I know there's a large attendance, but if I compare it to similar events of this stature, like The British Grand Prix at Silverstone which I've attended, there is no comparison.

After missing all these laps I figured a few more wouldn't hurt ! So sampled a tiny slice of pizza for 4 bucks and pepsi for 5 bucks ! !

I also decided to get back on the shuttle bus and try to relocate to the front stretch. With a cold chill still in the air a few people (probably the 'corporate' types who are not really race fans) had already left, so I managed to get my butt into a good seat high up, and not far from where I was on Thursday. The last part of the race turned out to be a cracker, as favorites, like Stewart # 20 and Earnhardt Jnr # 8 fell by the way side as a great battle developed between veteran Mark Martin # 01 and Kevin Harvick # 29. A late caution gave us a green / white/ checkers situation, with Martin losing to Harvick by the length of a hood (bonnet) as they crossed the line. Just moments before the checkers fell, a huge wreck occurred amongst the pursuing traffic, where Clint Bowyer # 07 ended up on his roof with Jeff Gordon # 24 and David Stremme # 40 interlocked right in front of me.

For my inaugural visit to the “500” I reckon I picked a good one and may be tempted to return.

With the later than normal start to this years event , it obviously finished later and under the floodlights, so it was about 8-00pm before I got back to my new “digs” for the night at DeLand. It was in the local Perkins restaurant that I had the best meal of my tour. I can thoroughly recommend their “Captains Platter” which consisted of a fillet of fish, shrimps and clam strips, complete with caesar salad and fries, all for around 10 bucks

photo one   Clouds over Daytona

photo two  Opening ceremonies at Daytona

photo three   Rolling lap of the 2007 Daytona 500

photo four    The start of the 2007 Daytona 500

photo five     Pit lane at Daytona

photo six    Jeff Gordon # 24 and David Stremme # 40 connect at as the checkers drop at Daytona

photo seven  The clean up after the Jeff Gordon # 24 and David Stremme # 40 crash at Daytona

DAY SIX AND SEVEN to follow

RE. RICK @ the RACES (RETRO)

Thanks to all the people who have sent encouraging messages regarding my RICK @ the RACES (RETRO) reports. I will will be doing the 1977 Report just as soon as time permits... Sorry for the delay RICK

RACES ATTENDED THIS YEAR

14^th Jan Brockville Speedway (Ont) Winter Enduro

27^th Jan St Edouard De Lotbiniere (Que) Ice Racing

4^th Feb Laviltrie, (Que) Ice Racing

11^th Feb Beauharnois (Que) Ice Racing

14th Feb  Orlando Speedworld (FL) Legends, Bandolero's

14th Feb  Volusia Speedway (FL) SUPER DIRT SERIES

15th Feb   Daytona Speedway (FL)  NASCAR Gatorade Duel

15th Feb   New Smyrna Speedway (FL) Asphalt Mods

15th Feb Volusia Speedway (FL) SUPER DIRT SERIES/ WOO LATEMODELS(RAIN)

16th Feb  East Bay Speedway (FL) Open Wheel Mods

17th Feb  Volusia Speedway (FL) SUPER DIRT SERIES/WOO LATE MODELS

18th Feb  Daytona Speedway (FL) "500" NEXTEL CUP